Wizards out to cast SWALEC Cup spell

Aberavon return to SWALEC Cup action when they travel to Roseland Road to take on Waunarlwydd in a third round clash (KO 2:30pm).

The clubs have met once before in the Cup - in the 1972/73 Schweppes Cup - when the Wizards won 7-3 at Waunarlwydd in the competition's first round.

The sides last met at the ground in a pre-season friendly in 2004/05. Former Wizard Jason Hyatt had just returned to Waunarlwydd to coach his former club. Aberavon ran out 21-5 winners. The Wizards also won two friendlies against the side at the Talbot Athletic Ground the following season.

Saturday's match will be SWALEC League One West side Waunarlwydd's third game in the cup this year having won 16-12 at Ystrad Rhondda in Round One and 34-31 at home to Bonymaen in Round Two.

For Principality Premiership side Aberavon it will be their second match in this year's competition having won 74-6 against Bedlinog a fortnight ago.

For the cup game, the Wizards have made seven changes, including two positional, to the side that beat Llanelli 59-15 last weekend. In the backs Richard Thomas comes in on the wing for Richard Carter, while David Pritchard starts at scrum half ahead of Dan Davies.

In the pack Neil White starts at loosehead instead of Lloyd Howell. In the second row Ian Moore comes in for Chris Gittins while Richard Morris reverts to No8 instead of Nathan Strong. Aaron Bray moves to lock with Darryl Thomas taking his position at blindside flanker.

Wales and Ospreys back row James King, who came through the North Wales age grade system, nominated North Wales Regional Community Rugby Manager Marc Roberts, in the WRU's 'Diolch' initiative where squad players thanked those who played a part in their rise to the top.

Beating Merthyr has boosted Carmarthen Quins hopes of reaching a top eight spot in the Principality Premiership. Quins captain Haydn Pugh is delighted with his team's progress and is determined that everyone from the Under 6s through to the senior team, enjoys the ride.

When the Wales squad were asked to nominate individuals who played a big part in their early playing days, Wales and Dragons full back and wing Hallam Amos thought of his former Monmouth School rugby coach John Bevan.

Sam Cross and Luke Treharne have been named as co-captains of the Wales Sevens side as head coach Gareth Williams names his 12-man squad to play in the first leg of the HSBC World Series in Dubai next weekend.

Bedwas head coach Steve Law and players Nicky Griffiths and Alun Rees extol the virtues of the close knit club as they prepare to host third place RGC 1404 - who are one place head of them on the Principality Premiership points table - on Saturday.

Many of the Wales squad have said Diolch (thank you) to someone who played an important part in their early playing days by nominating them to be invited to the Wales v South Africa match. One person, Gowerton Comprehensive geography teacher Mr Dean Mason was nominated by two of his former pupils, Dan Biggar and Sam Davies.

The second WRU disability rugby pilot has been delivered, this time in Caerphilly schools, culminating in a festival at the Caerphilly Centre of Sporting Excellence, Ystrad Mynach tomorrow. Plans are in place to set up a Disability Rugby Club in Newbridge to provide long-term playing opportunities.

WRU TV: Hear from inside the Wales camp as Neil Jenkins discusses this weekend's clash with South Africa and how the squad are looking to put in a strong performance to round of the 2016 Under Armour Series